Lily had to admit, she thought she'd be better at this. It was just walking, after all.

She cursed herself under exhausted breaths as she pulled herself along the handrail of a set of stairs embedded into the hillside. Hiking was work. And took a long time; thank goodness Chloe was available to watch Autumn.

“Lily! Lily…” Emily came back quickly, still smiling with a hint of worry. Her arm slipped under the one Lily had on her hip, helping the blue doe up the last few steps. “You need a break?”

“No, no, I–” A look from Emily stopped Lily's assurance cold. “...A-A break wouldn't hurt, no…”

“Come on, then, silly.” Emily chuckled to herself, helping Lily over to a smooth, protruding rock. She set Lily down first, slow and careful, before sitting down beside her. “You could have told me, hun.”

“S-Sorry,” Lily mumbled in return. Emily just shook her head, leaning against the other doe as she took a drink from her water bottle. If Lily was honest, she was enjoying the hike. Exhausting, sure, but it was fun.

Especially doing it with her wife.

Lily fiddled with her own water bottle, staring out ahead of the couple. The hills and fields surrounding Melfield laid before them, giving way to the outer farms to the east, and the town proper past that. The nearest towns across the plains were visible in the distance, sticking out amongst the grasses. Somewhere down their own hill, they'd parked their car, bringing just their packs with them.

“H-Hey, Em?” Lily started quietly. “Have I ever mentioned…”

Emily looked over, ears perked up in interest.

“...That I love you?”

Emily snorted with a grin. “I love you, too!”

Together they fell into a small fit of giggles, leaning on each other for support. Lily sighed happily, resting her head on Emily's shoulder. “I mean it, though, y-y'know?” She said softly. “Y-You've been… so good to me. S-So kind and caring, a-and…”

Emily hugged her close, brushing a hand through Lily's bangs. “Oh, hun…”

Lily shook her head; she needed to speak. “I-I'm exhausted, m-my legs and hooves hurt, I-I think I heard that handrail crack when I leaned on it… B-But I'm with you.”

“Lily…” Emily's hand gently lifted her chin, and it took everything for Lily not to get lost in her wife's amethyst eyes. “You are just as sweet, just as kind, and just as deserving of everything as I am. You make everything bearable and I am so lucky to know you, and so much more lucky to have married you.”

Lily knew there was no chance she could fight down her tears.

She set her water aside and flung her arms around Emily, tucking her face into her wife's shoulder and openly sobbing.

Emily hugged her gently, resting her head on Lily's with her own soft sniffles.

“I love you,” Lily whispered, wanting to speak it to Emily's soul.

“I love you, too,” Emily replied, and Lily wanted to write it in her bones.

Together they stayed until they were okay again. Until they were hydrated and had their snacks.

Until they went back down together, hand in hand.

_{Written November 24, 2023; Commissioned by Emily}